Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS) has announced the return of its Champ’s Café Summer Break Spot program for 2026, ensuring that children throughout the community continue to have access to nutritious meals during the summer months when school is not in session.
Operating under the theme “Fueling Champions,” the program reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to supporting the health, well-being, and academic success of local students by providing free meals to eligible children and teenagers.
The Summer Break Spot program will offer complimentary breakfast and lunch to all children ages 18 and younger at participating locations across Charlotte County. Meal services are scheduled to run from June 8 through July 29, although some sites will begin serving meals earlier in June. Through this initiative, families can access healthy, balanced meals at no cost, helping to reduce food insecurity and ensure that children continue receiving proper nutrition throughout the summer break.
The program has proven to be a valuable resource for the community. During the summer of 2025, Charlotte County Public Schools served nearly 50,000 meals through the Champ’s Café Summer Feeding Program. This significant number highlights the growing need for accessible meal services when schools are closed. The summer feeding initiative operates in accordance with federal program guidelines, which are designed to provide children with reliable access to nutritious meals during the months when regular school meal programs are unavailable.
One of the most notable additions to the 2026 program is the introduction of a seven-day bulk meal pick-up option. This new service is intended to provide families with greater convenience and flexibility by allowing them to collect an entire week’s worth of breakfast and lunch meals in a single visit. The bulk meal option is especially beneficial for working parents, families with transportation challenges, and those who may find it difficult to travel to meal sites every day. By reducing the frequency of trips required to obtain meals, the district hopes to increase participation and improve access for families throughout the county.
To maximize community outreach and accessibility, meals will be distributed through a variety of service models. Families can receive meals through walk-in service at designated schools, public libraries, mobile feeding locations, and neighborhood bulk distribution sites. This broad network of service locations is intended to ensure that children from all areas of Charlotte County have opportunities to participate in the program.
A key component of the summer feeding effort is the Champ’s on Wheels Mobile Feeding Bus. The mobile unit will operate Monday through Friday, bringing meals directly into neighborhoods and community gathering spaces. While some service schedules will be adjusted on select dates during June, the bus will continue to provide an important connection between families and meal resources. Lunch-only service will be available at several stops, including the Port Charlotte Library from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the Mid-County Library from 11:30 a.m. to noon, and Hampton Point Apartments from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Several schools throughout the district will also serve as meal distribution sites. Neil Armstrong Elementary School, Charlotte High School, Myakka River Elementary School, and Port Charlotte High School will provide both breakfast and lunch services Monday through Thursday during June. These locations will not offer meal service on Fridays during that month.
Additional meal sites will begin operating on varying schedules. Meadow Park will start serving breakfast and lunch on June 3 and will operate Monday through Friday, including service on June 15. Meanwhile, Baker Center will begin meal service on June 1 and will provide breakfast and lunch Monday through Thursday, along with special Friday service dates on June 5 and June 12.
Families interested in utilizing the new seven-day meal package option can visit designated neighborhood distribution sites between 11:00 a.m. and noon. Weekly meal pack distribution will take place on Mondays at Alfred and Jones Loop Road and on Tuesdays at the Charlotte Fairgrounds. These locations have been selected to make meal pick-up more convenient for families residing in different areas of the county.
It is important for families to note that there will be no meal service on Friday, July 3, in observance of the Independence Day holiday period. Participants should plan accordingly to ensure they have adequate meals during that time.
Charlotte County Public Schools encourages all families to take advantage of this valuable community resource. The district recommends reviewing the latest operating schedules, site locations, and program updates through the official Champ’s Café Summer Feeding website before visiting a meal site. By offering free meals at multiple locations and introducing innovative distribution options, the Champ’s Café Summer Break Spot program continues to play a critical role in supporting children and families across Charlotte County throughout the summer season.
